Boy, 11, killed on way home from helping best friend’s grandmother put up Christmas tree

EAST POINT, Ga. — The search is on for the killers who shot an 11-year-old boy walking home after helping his best friend’s grandmother.

Tyrell Sims was shot and killed on Bell Avenue in East Point Friday night. His father heard the gunshots but didn’t know it was his son at the time.

“The guy came running down and told me, ‘Your son got shot,’” Conrad Sims told Channel 2′s Tom Jones. “Tried to give him CPR, tried to revive him."

Tyrell Sims died at the hospital. East Point police said they believe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“It appears that the 11-year-old was just an innocent bystander,” Capt. Allyn Glover said.

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Conrad Sims told Jones that his son and his 12-year-old best friend went to his friend’s grandmother’s house to help put up her Christmas tree. After they put the tree up, the boys began to head home.

That’s when police said a black car, possibly a stolen Lexus, drove by and opened fire. Tyrell Sims' best friend wasn’t hit and tried to help him.

“He jumped up and tried to shake my son. My son didn’t get up,” Sims said.

Sims told Jones his son loved to play football, had dreams of playing in the NFL and had a bright future.

The 11-year-old had just got his report card earlier Friday and made all As. Conrad Sims decided to take his son to the mall and let him buy anything he wanted to celebrate.

“I didn’t know that would be the last time talking to him or hugging him.”

Police would like to speak to two young men who they say are possible suspects or at the very least persons of interest. They are asking anyone who saw something to come forward.

Man charged with murder after shootings leave 6 people dead in Coweta County Two of the victims were identified as 39-year-old Willie Edward Bussie III and 43-year-old Kevin Duane Robbins.

Cox Media Group